Roy Keane slams Erik ten Hag for his ‘absolute RUBBISH’ praise of Bruno Fernandes – after the Man United boss lauds his captain’s decision to hand Marcus Rashford penalty duty

Roy Keane was critical of Erik ten Hag after the Manchester United boss praised Bruno Fernandes for allowing Marcus Rashford to take a crucial penalty in Sunday’s 3-0 win against Everton.

Rashford scored his second goal of the season from the spot at Goodison Park, doubling United’s lead early in the second half of their victory.

After Ashley Young was ruled to have tripped Anthony Martial following a VAR review, regular penalty taker Fernandes could be seen handing the ball to the England forward.

Alejandro Garnacho had given Ten Hag’s team an early lead with a spectacular bicycle kick and Martial rounded off the scoring with his first goal since May.

While the under-pressure United boss was keen to praise Fernandes’ leadership qualities as his side moved within four points of the Champions League places, former United captain Keane was less than impressed.

Ten Hag was pleased with Fernandes’ leadership qualities after he allowed Marcus Rashford to take a penalty at Goodison Park

Rashford stepped up and scored his second goal of the season from the spot, doubling United’s lead

He told Sky Sports: ‘He gives toffee to Bruno because he passed the ball for the penalty. Absolute fucking bullshit. Absolute nonsense coming out of there. Manchester United is now sixth. If you went back a few years, you would be ashamed of being sixth.

‘But they clearly seem happy with sixth place. They still have a long way to go. Manchester United has to compete with the best teams. That includes Liverpool, [Manchester] City, Arsenal.

“It hasn’t been good enough with the talent they have. Look, they’re in a great position, but the reason you play for Manchester United is to compete against the top teams.’

Despite Keane’s criticism, Ten Hag will be relieved his side have secured a fifth win from their last six Premier League games as they look to put a torrid start to the season behind them.

They now face a decisive Champions League clash against Galatasaray in Istanbul on Wednesday, and the Dutchman was pleased to see Rashford back on the scoresheet after his own disappointing start to the season.

When asked how much Rashford needed his goal against Everton, Ten Hag replied: ‘A lot. You also see how great a captain Bruno is to sense that his teammate needed that goal. Bruno will certainly score, but he has confidence in Rashy, who is a very good penalty taker.

‘Take that ball and take your confidence. As a team you need that leadership. You support each other, you cover each other and you give each other confidence, because that’s what you need to have a successful season.’

Fernandes was appointed captain of Man United in the summer after Ten Hag took Harry Maguire’s armband

Fernandes, who has also been the subject of criticism this season amid United’s problems in multiple competitions, said he had no reservations about handing Rashford the ball.

He told Sky Sports: ‘I felt Marcus needed a bit of confidence, needed goals. Marcus is also an excellent penalty taker. I’m 100 percent sure he could score the penalty. It’s not about who takes the penalty, it’s about scoring the penalty and Marcus did it perfectly.

‘It’s clear that strikers and wingers want to score goals, they have to score goals, that’s part of their game and it gives you a boost. After the penalty, Marcus was unstoppable; he could compete with anyone. I think sometimes you need this opportunity, this chance to regain confidence.

“But Marcus has been great for us. Obviously he was great last season, so everyone’s expectations for this season were higher. What matters is that he gets his goals back and everyone will keep saying he is world class again.